An Akure Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State on Thursday, ordered the remand of a 38-year-old labourer, Moses Udoh, in the Olokuta Correctional Centre, for alleged rape of his 11-year-old daughter.
The police arraigned Udoh on a two-count charge of indecent sexual assault of a minor and threat to life.
The prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Oniyere, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on November 26, at 10.20 p.m., at his residence located at No 20 Igboniki Street, along LAO, Akure, Ondo State.
He alleged that Udoh, on several occasions forcefully had sexual intercourse with his 11-year-old biological daughter, which caused the victim harm.
Oniyere also said the defendant threatened to kill the victim if she dared tell anyone about his action.
The victim, who narrated her ordeal to journalists revealed that her father, Udoh, had often had sexual intercourse with her in his room, and most of the time would threaten to kill her if she opened up to anyone.
“My father has been forcefully having sexual intercourse with me through my front and my back,” the victim narrated.
“He started it when I was 10 years old and I cannot count the number of times he has done it.
“Whenever my father was sleeping with me in the night, he would increase the volume of his MP 3 radio, so that my voice would not be heard by neighbours around
“He instructed me not to tell our neighbours about it and also threatened to k!ll me and the person
“When I noticed that blood was coming out of my anus, which is now causing discomfort for me, I decided to tell his sister.”
According to the charge sheet, the offence committed contravenes Sections 25(a) and 86(2) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of 2021.
The plea of the defendant was not taken due to the nature of the offence.
Oniyere urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional centre, pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Magistrate Temilola Olusola-Olujobi ordered the remand of the defendant in Olokuta Correctional Centre.
Due to the age of the victim, the Magistrate ordered the transfer of the case to the Family Court and adjourned it to December 10, 2024, for trial.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
